As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.
- The film's opening shot, a remarkably complicated Oner for the time.
- The song "Molasses to Rum" serves as both a Villain Song for slave owner Rutledge, and a Break the Haughty moment for Adams, after all, the North was just as complicit in the slave trade, while the South was more open about it. It can be heard here
, in all its audacity and truth, from John Cullum.- And for African-Americans tired of people pretending as though only one part of the country was complicit in how their ancestors suffered and Southerners who are tired of being reminded that they supported slavery , "Molasses to Rum" serves as a satisfying comeback to both of their complaints.
- Abigail Adams, while struggling to keep a failing farm solvent, caring for sick children, and facing the very real prospect that the war could arrive on her doorstep, nevertheless rallies the Massachusetts Bay-area women together to make saltpeter. The kegs arrive at John's feet wrapped in bows, just when he was beginning to lose faith in himself and his cause.Compliments of the Concord Ladies Coffee Club,
And the Sisterhood of the Truro Synagogue,
And the Friday evening Baptist Sewing Circle,
And the Holy Christian Sisters of Saint Clare...
All for you, John!
I am as I ever was yours, yours...
John (spoken): Wait a minute, Abbey! What's in those kegs???
Abbey (still singing): Saltpeter, John!- John to his credit orders MacNair to purchase "every damn pin in Philadelphia."
- "Is Anybody There?" for Adams.
- Made doubly awesome because the lines about fireworks and parades and all are accurate to his letters - he knew exactly how the US would celebrate on July 4th every year (although he predicted July 2nd).
- While Adams despairs, singing "Is Anybody There?" in the hall, thinking himself alone after the Southern states had stormed out over the slavery issue, Dr. Lyman Hall returns that night, explaining that he couldn't sleep:
Hall: In trying to resolve my dilemma I remembered something I'd once read, that '...a representative owes the People not only his industry, but his judgment, and he betrays them if he sacrifices it to their opinion.' It was written by Edmund Burke, a member of the British Parliament. (Hall moves Georgia's vote into the Yea column) - Dickinson sticking by his beliefs and voting against the Declaration, then leaving Congress and joining the Army rather than signing a document he can't believe in. Now that is "courage of conviction". Even John Adams is impressed and leads the other congressmen in a standing ovation.
- It's not as obvious since he's quite subtle about it, but Franklin plays multiple members of Congress like a fiddle while keeping up his "slightly senile dozy old man" act in order to ensure independence. He does it so well that even Adams doesn't always realize what's going on.
